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Airbus, Safran to join forces in launcher activities, to create 50-50 JVAirbus Group and Safran are further strengthening their relationship to propose a new family of competitive, versatile and efficient space launchers, to serve both commercial and institutional needs.In this context, both companies have agreed to create a 50-50 Joint Venture, with a key role for each shareholder in their legacy activities especially in France and Germany, combining expertise in the launcher systems from Airbus Group as well as propulsion systems from Safran. The current industrial initiative proposes: To further develop and accelerate entry-into-service of the Ariane 5 ME launcher as a logical evolution of Ariane 5, including an improved upper stage based on the Vinci engine; and to further develop the Ariane 6 launcher in a jointly agreed configuration, able to fulfil a range of missions as expressed by ESA, the National Space Agencies, Arianespace and satellite operators. In the first phase Airbus Group and Safran would create a joint program company in order to contribute their respective civil program contracts and major participations related to civil launcher activities. Subsequently, industrial assets would be contributed overtime in order to create a world class, fully-fledged jointly owned competitive company. Airbus Group and Safran will submit the creation of the Joint Venture to all respective approvals required. Signing of the first phase of the transaction and an initial start of operations of the Joint Venture are expected before the end of 2014.